Drew Forest advocates push for 'full' county funding as committee recommends $5 million grant

By: Alex Parker-Magyar Managing Editor, Madison Eagle

MADISON - Madison is poised to receive a substantial Morris County grant award to help purhase the threatened Drew Forest preserve from Drew University, but advocates say a larger sum would push the deal across the finish line.

The Morris County Open Space Trust Fund Committee recommended on Wednesday, Nov. 8, that the Morris County Board of County Commissioners award Madison $5 million to use toward acquiring the 51 wooded acres from the university. Drew has sought to have the land rezoned and developed for multi-family housing to mitigate ongoing financial troubles.

Madison had requested $10 million, however, which would compliment the borough's own contribution and up to $7.5 million in federal funding sought by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-11, among other funding sources.

Jay Thomson, chair of the county open space trust fund committee, noted Morris County would be Madison's first funding partner in the endeavor. He provided some insight into why the 15-member committee did not recommend the full $10 million, which would match the county's largest-ever open space grant in the 2014 purchase of Giralda Farms Park in Chatham Township.

"Negotiations with Drew and Madison are ongoing. Projects of this magnitude typically come to the committee with a signed contract or a multitude of funding partners already in place. This application has not met some of those benchmarks," Thomson told the commissioners at a work session meeting early Wednesday evening in Morristown.

"I want to stress this is a very significant contribution towards the fulfillment of Madison's goal to acquire and preserve this property and we're all hopeful this initial commitment will encourage funding from other sources.”

'Have Faith In What's Happening'

About 50 Drew Forest advocates, elected officials and Drew University students attended a subsequent commissioner meeting two hours later.

Eighteen of them would address the board over the course of about an hour, requesting the commissioners exceed the $5 million recommendation and provide "full funding" of $10 million for the acquisition. The commissioners are expected to vote on the matter on Monday, Nov. 20 or at a meeting in December.

Madison Mayor Robert Conley said $5 million would go a long way toward the purchase, but $10 million would put the deal "over the top" to save the forest for future generations. He said he perceived some hesitancy from the committee based on Madison and Drew not having a purchase agreement in place.

"I think that may have affected their funding level, but I know and we know Drew will sell. Their preference is what everyone in this room wants: to preserve the forest. But if you cannot do it, there will be houses there one way or another, even if Madison has to do it kicking and screaming," he said, referencing the possibility of the land being listed in Madison's next state-mandated affordable housing plan in 2025.

"I think we have had some great, productive conversations with Drew recently," he continued. "I think we're moving in the right direction and I really feel we will have an agreement to buy the property for preservation. One of the things that can get us over the top is a full funding of that $10 million" along with state, federal and borough allocations, he said.

State Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, R-Morris, also spoke of the importance of the forest sale at the meeting, as did members of the area philanthropic community. S. Dillard Kirby, the longtime former president of the F.M. Kirby Foundation, was in the audience and submitted a letter to be read aloud during the meeting.

Kirby described the proposed conservation sale as a "win-win-win." Area residents and Drew students will continue to gain from the forest's unique environmental benefits, he said, Drew will benefit financially and keep its most treasured asset, and Madison will continue to benefit from Drew's positive economic and cultural impact on the community.

"These last two ripple effects have not received as much narrative in the discussion," he said. "It is my sincere hope that the open space trust fund committee and in turn the commissioners fully embrace and approve this grant recommendation of $10 million.

"It will serve as a catalyst and inspiration among decision makers in the Borough of Madison, federal and state funding sources and private philanthropy. They in turn will step up to the plate. It is your group who needs to hit the first home run.”

Five different Drew University students, in addition to several Drew alumni, called for full funding at the meeting. Several said the forest is what attracted them to Drew, and thereby Morris County, in the first place.

Denville native Lisa Leone, a 2016 Drew alumna, said she likely would have left Morris County were it not for the forest's use as a "living classroom."

Drew senior Jackie Melone, an environmental science major who relies on the forest for her studies, said allowing the forest to disappear would "go against the identity of Morris County."

"I have always admired how much Morris County cares about its green spaces, how it provides so much accessibility to so many people to indulge in the natural spaces around them," she said. "I really think that if we lose this forest, it's going against something that this county holds so dear and holds so much pride in."

As speaker after speaker addressed the board, several echoed Conley's remarks about the university being willing partners in the process under its new president, Hilary Link.

Morris Plains resident Jim Hunt, a 1969 alumnus and longtime contributor to the university, said he finds "there is a new desire to come to a finish line so that this is good for Drew and it's good for the Morris County region."

Claire Whitcomb, chair of the Madison Environmental Commission, has met twice with Link as part of her efforts with the Friends of the Drew Forest advocacy group. She said she believes Madison and Drew will reach an agreement, but full county support is vital in a challenging situation.

"If you can give us the full $10 million they're going to pull it off," she said. "I think you have to have faith in what's happening."

Conley issued an additional statement Thursday, Nov. 9, the day after the meeting.

“Last night we heard from many residents and Drew students who expressed their support for full funding, and I thank those from Friends of the Drew Forest who attended in-person and virtually. I also want to thank the Morris County Commissioners who listened intently to every comment, and we know that they will seriously consider full funding based on the comments they heard," he said in part.

"We have worked hard to this point, and there is no stopping now until we can reach an agreement with Drew University, secure the necessary funding, and preserve the forest for generations to come.”

Editor's note: This newspaper sent a request for comment to Drew University Wednesday evening. Please check back later for more information